The role of solar energy in meeting electricity demand in Türkiye and investigation of structural problems in the utilization of solar energy

The global demand for electricity is increasing rapidly in parallel with the increase in human population, advances in industry, economic growth, and the increasing use of developing technology in daily life. In Türkiye, there has also been an increase in electricity demand with rapid urbanization and industrialization. Final electricity consumption has tripled compared to 1990. Energy needs in Türkiye are largely met by importing fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas. This situation causes negative effects on the environment and human health, as well as foreign dependence on energy and a high rate of current account deficit. Due to these adverse effects and the rapid increase in energy needs, providing energy supply from sustainable and environmentally friendly sources has become more important than ever. Solar energy is a renewable and environmentally friendly energy source. Türkiye has a great solar energy potential owing to its geographical location and long annual sunshine hours. Current installed solar power capacity of Türkiye exceeds 11 Gigawatt (GW), and it is aimed to reach 52.9 GW by 2050. To achieve this target, an annual installation of 3.5 GW of capacity is required. Structural problems in areas such as energy storage technologies, grid integration, and financial difficulties hinder the progress of this sector in Türkiye. In this study, the role of solar energy in meeting Türkiye's electricity demand and the structural challenges encountered in the use of solar energy for this purpose are examined in detail. The study focuses on the legal and institutional regulations, financing deficiencies, and technological difficulties to enhance the use of solar energy in Türkiye and provides solutions to address these issues.